ONE of Labour's most senior figures has written an open letter to Ukip supporters today, apologising for the party's previous views on immigration concerns and urging them to "keep an open mind".

Shadow Justice Minister Sadiq Khan concedes Labour has been "too quick to dismiss concerns about immigration, or even worse - accused people of prejudice" in the letter, which was sent exclusively to Express.co.uk.

Mr Khan lists a range of policies designed to entice former Labour voters thinking of voting for Ukip back to his party.

The letter comes just days after Ukip saw its number of councillors across England rise by 161, eating into Labour support in Essex and the North.

Below is the letter in full:

The Labour Party has changed. We know we made mistakes. We're determined to put them right.

Sadiq Khan

An Open Letter to Ukip supporters

I know you are fed up with politics as usual. I get that you are angry at the political parties. I understand you feel that successive Governments have done too little to help you.

Too many people have struggled for far too long. Too little of the benefits of growth have gone to working people and too much to the very wealthiest.

Wages have barely increased whilst the cost of everything - from housing to energy and food - has rocketed.

And in too many places immigration has driven down local wages.

I understand why people think that politicians do little to help them.